I wonder what you think of this. Recently I bought a (in my eyes) very beautiful Celtic tetradrachm in VF but excellent condition. Not a very high price either. A very human portrait with an expressive toothless smile (many elderly rulers must have sneered and snarled toothlessly) and telling eyes. That's a good catch! I thought.

After it arrived, it took me not too long to discover it is a fourrée. The edges are giving that away quite clearly, but now you know you will see it immediately in my pics. The coin with its beautiful high relief is maybe a bit low in weight, but for a barbarous imitation quite acceptable.

I'm in two minds about this. A very attractive contemporary Celtic imitation, but a fourrée. Is that as should be? The seller should have mentioned it. I probably would have chosen another coin. But still, a prize, I think.

Eastern Celts, Lower Danube. Uncertain tribe. Early 3rd century BC. Early imitation of a Philip II tetradrachm of Amphipolis. Obv. Laureate head of Zeus t.r., behind it, a leaf. Rev. Jockey and horse riding t.r. Under it, labda over a bucranium. Under the prancing leg of the horse, an A. 24.5 mm, 13.85 gr. Not in Flesche (? or 640?).

A very nicely executed design and strike for a Celtic imitation. I do feel concerned also about the fourree nature. This was not just an alternative silver monetary piece, but meant to deceive. ..On the other hand, a contemporary imitation of an imitation also makes it something special.

If so, then it's skillfully done, but disappointing that it wasn't in Celtic hands a couple of thousand years ago.If it was a contemporary forgery made in Celtic times that would be more interesting - well, to me.

Quite! (Quelle horreur, your picture!) See here. A contemporary counterfeit, that's what I believe this to be. Don't know where to find this in the books about Celtic imitations of Macedon coins. It would help if I knew if there are more such known. Here are some pictures of the problem. -- Paul